Federal Funding for RIT-Delphi's Fuel Cell Project HENRIETTA, NY (WXXI) - Congresswoman Louise Slaughter was in town Friday morning to announce that more than $2 million in federal funding will be going to RIT's joint fuel cell project with Delphi.

The goal of the project is to get the high-efficiency, environmentally-friendly fuel cells on the market within three years.

RIT President William Destler says the project is not just about RIT and Delphi. He says it's about creating an unmatched hub of expertise and talent in fuel cell development. Destler says that can help attract companies looking to relocate.

RIT and Delphi are not alone in trying to bring fuel cells to the marketplace. Steve Schaffer of Delphi says other people are working on similar projects both in the US and abroad.

It's believed that the RIT-Delphi project, if successful, could lead to thousands of manufacturing jobs in the Rochester area.

The UAW's contract with Delphi specifies that any fuel cells coming from technology developed in Rochester must be manufactured in Rochester.

University and company officials did not specify how the $2.4 million would be spent. © Copyright 2009, WXXI